Customizable channel guide

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for providing a customizable channel guide, and more specifically, a personalized channel guide for a user, are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, indications of types of content for which the user has an interest are received. Information about content that is available for viewing is accessed. Personalized channels for the user are generated based on the received indications of the types of content for which the user has an interest and based on the information about content that is available for viewing. Each separate personalized channel provides the user with access to a separate type of content for which the user has an interest. A listing of at least some of the personalized channels is displayed to thereby enable the user to select one of the personalized channels.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/816,687, filed Apr. 26, 2013, which is incorporate herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

While watching video content on a television (TV), the current method ofbrowsing for other content typically involves a user having to navigatethrough a grid of hundreds of channels, many of which the user does nothave sufficient authentication, or manually entering channel numbersfrom memory. Further, even when the user does have sufficientauthentication to view channels, there are typically numerous channelsand content associated therewith for which the user does not have anyinterest, which distract the user from the channels and content forwhich the user may have an interest.

SUMMARY

A system is provided that allows users to organize and more easilyaccess desired content. In embodiments, the system includes a userinterfaces (UI) channel guide brought up while watching video content,that serves as a channel listing categorized by genres or sub-categoriesthat best represents the media application. For example, in ESPN, thechannels may be leagues/sports such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAAF, etc., withthe content for that sport surfaced in that channel.

Furthermore, the channel listing consists of system channels such asrecommendations, popular, recently watched by friends, which aggregatevideo content based on these criteria. This channel listing iscustomizable by the user; channels can be added or removed by the userand/or based on the user's preference. Furthermore, the content withinthe channel can be customized to prioritize certain types of contentbefore others. Again, using the ESPN example, in the NBA channel, theuser can specify their favorite teams for which content will surface tothe front of the queue.

In an embodiment, indications of types of content for which the user hasan interest are received, e.g., via a user interface and/or based on auser's viewing habits over time. Information about video content that isavailable for viewing is accessed. Personalized channels for the userare generated based on the received indications of the types of contentfor which the user has an interest and based on the information aboutcontent that is available for viewing. Each separate personalizedchannel provides the user with access to a separate type of content forwhich the user has an interest. A listing of at least some of thepersonalized channels is displayed to thereby enable the user to selectone of the personalized channels. This can involve displaying along afirst one of the four sides of a screen, the listing of at least some ofthe personalized channels, and displaying along a second one of the foursides of the screen (which is perpendicular to the first one of thefirst sides), a listing of content associated with one of thepersonalized channels. Within a remaining portion of the screen, videocontent that the user most recently selected for viewing is displayed.This way, the user can enjoy viewing video content while navigatingtheir personalized channel guide.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part ofthis disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-7 depict graphical user interfaces according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 8-10 are high level flow diagrams that are useful for explainingmethods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts an example computing system including an entertainmentconsole and tracking system that can be used to implement embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates additional details of one embodiment of theentertainment console and tracking system introduced in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting the components of an exampleentertainment console.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example embodiment of a computing systemthat can be used to implement embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods that allow users to generate efficient andcustomized UI channel guides are disclosed herein. In embodiments, theUI channel guide may be brought up by a user while watching videocontent, which is often referred to herein simply as content. The UIchannel guide serves as a channel listing categorized by channels whichmay be genres or sub-categories that represent the media applicationproviding the content. However, the channels need not represent themedia application providing the content in further embodiments, and maybe any user-defined channels as explained below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a user interface 100 including a UI channel guide102, video content 104 and alternative video content thumbnails 106.Such a UI channel guide 102 can be displayed in response to a userselecting or requesting that the guide be displayed. Such a selection orrequest can be performed by a user using a handheld device (e.g., suchas a remote control or game controller), using gestures and/or usingauditory commands, but is not limited thereto. The UI channel guide 102can thereafter stop being displayed in response to the user selecting orrequesting that the guide be exited, after a time-out period, or inresponse to the user selecting or requesting that the video content 104being displayed be changed to other video content.

As shown, the UI channel guide 102 is provided alongside the videocontent 104 so that a user may view the video content 104 while at thesame time viewing and navigating the channel guide 102. In accordancewith an embodiment, while the UI channel guide 102 is displayed on ascreen, the amount of screen space devoted to displaying video content104 is at least fifty percent of the entire screen, thereby enabling theuser to simultaneously view and navigate the UI channel guide 102 whilestill enjoying the video content 104. By contrast, other on-screenchannel guides typically occupy the entire screen, or reduce the videocontent to less than twenty five percent of the screen, which makes theactual video content difficult to view.

The video content thumbnails 106 may include additional content for oneof the channels. Any one of the video content thumbnails 106 may beselected, at which time the video content represented by the selectedthumbnail 106 is displayed as a larger video content 104. Morespecifically, each video content thumbnail 106, which can also bereferred to as a tile 106, corresponds to different content associatedwith one of the channels of the channel guide 102. In this example, thevideo content thumbnails 106 correspond to “channel 1”. If a user was tonavigate to “channel 2,” then the video content thumbnails 106 wouldcorrespond to content associated with “channel 2.” The user may also beable to select or request information about one of the video contentthumbnails 106, so that they can learn more about the video contentrepresented by the video content thumbnail 106, before they decidewhether or not they want to select the associated video content forviewing. Each tile 106 can provide an indication of the content thatwould be presented if the tile 106 were selected by the user. Forexample, each tile 106 can provide text and/or an image that correspondsto the content represented by the tile. For example, if a tile 106corresponded to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks andthe San Francisco 49ers, then that tile 106 can include the text“Seahawks vs. 49ers” and/or can include an image of the logos or helmetsof the two teams.

In accordance with an embodiment, the listing of channels (or a portionthereof) is displayed along a first one of the four sides of a screen,and a listing of content associated with one of the channels (or aportion thereof) is displaying along a second one of the four sides ofthe screen, which is perpendicular to the first one of the four sides.For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the listing of channels is shown alongthe left side of the screen, and the listing of content associated withone of the channels (channel 1, in this example) is displaying along thebottom side of the screen, which is perpendicular to the left side ofthe screen. In FIG. 1, the listed channels are arranged in a column, andthe listed content associated with one of the channels (which are thevideo content thumbnails 106, in this example) is arranged in a row.Still referring to FIG. 1, video content 104 that the user most recentlyselected for viewing is displayed within the remaining portion of thescreen. As mentioned above, in an embodiment, the portion of the screenthat displays the video content 104 (while the channel guide issimultaneously displayed) takes up at least fifty percent of the entirescreen, so that the user can still view the video content 104 withouthaving to strain their eyes or miss out on details of the video content104.

The listing of channels can be displayed along one of the other sides ofthe screen (e.g., the right side), and the listing of content associatedwith one of the channels can be displaying along the bottom side of thescreen or the top side of the screen (which is perpendicular to theright side of the screen). It is also possible that the listing ofchannels can be displayed along the bottom (or top) of the screen, andthe listing of content associated with one of the channels can bedisplaying along the right (or left) side of the screen. Othervariations are also possible, and within the scope of an embodiment.Preferably, the channels and content associated with one of the channelsare displayed in a manner that still enables the user to view the videocontent 104, as is the case in FIG. 1.

The UI channel guide 102 in FIG. 1 is shown as including nine channels,but there may be greater or fewer channels in further embodiments. Whennot all channels may be displayed at the same time, a scrollbar 108 isprovided for scrolling between the channels or to additional channels.Another scrollbar (not shown) can be used to enable the user to scrollthrough additional video content thumbnails 106, or more generally, toenable the user to learn about further video content options associatedwith a particular channel.

A default number and genre of channels may be provided by the contentprovider in the UI channel guide 102. However, a user may also customizethe number and genre of channels in the UI channel guide 102 to add toor replace channels in the UI channel guide 102. For example, FIGS. 2-4illustrate user interfaces that allow a user to add and customize a newchannel to the UI channel guide 102 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, a usermay select a new channel to be added to the UI channel guide 102 from auser interface 112.

A user may also access a user interface 116 shown in FIG. 3, whichallows the user to customize (e.g., personalize) an existing channelupon selection of a content customization button 120. A user is alsoprovided with the option to remove a given channel via a channel removalbutton 122. Alternatively, or additionally, a channel may be removed inresponse to a user changing their preferences. Where a user selects thecontent customization button 120 with respect to a given channel, a usermay be presented with the graphical user interface 130 shown in FIG. 4.Referring to FIG. 4, the user interface 130 may include a number ofitems which may be subcategories of the given channel. The subcategories(more generally shown as item 1 through item 23 in FIG. 4) can be any ofvarious subcategories including for example teams for a sports channel,shows for a sitcom channel, and TV personalities for an entertainmentchannel. These subcategories are provided by way of example only and anyof a wide variety of subcategories may be provided as items on the userinterface 130. A user may choose one or more items from the userinterface 130, which items will then be used to determine the contentprovided on the given channel.

The items chosen from the user interface 130 may be considered favoritesof the user. Thus, a favorites channel is not a separate entity whichlives away from the main channel guide, but rather is incorporated rightinto the UI channel guide 102.

The content within a channel can be customized to prioritize certaintypes of content over others. Where a user chooses more than one itemusing the user interface 130, the order in which the items are chosenmay set the order of priority for content served on that channel. Forexample, if the user selects item 1, item 5 and item 10, in that order,content appropriate the subcategory of item 1 may be displayed first,content appropriate the subcategory of item 5 may be displayed second,and content appropriate subcategory of item 10 may be displayed third.The order in which items are selected may also or alternatively set howmuch content from each item is displayed on the channel. For example, ifthe user selects item 1, item 5 and item 10, in that order, the channelmay include more content from subcategory of item 1 than items 5 or 10,and the channel may include more content from the subcategory of item 5than item 10.

As noted above, a user may set favorite items (subcategories) of contentwhich receives the highest priority of content served on a channel. Inaddition to favorites, other criteria may be used for serving content ona channel. For example, popular and trending content may be served on achannel, and prioritized on the channel above or below favorite items ofcontent. As a further example, friend-recommended content may be servedon a channel, and prioritized on the channel above or below favoriteitems of content and above or below trending content.

The different sources of content described above may each be providedand prioritized on a single channel. In further embodiments, each of thesources of content described above may have its own channel.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example user interface 100 (similar to FIG. 1)where a content provider may be ESPN, which focuses on sports-relatedprogramming including live and recorded event telecasts, sports talkshows, and other original sports related programming. The channels inthe UI channel guide 102 may be leagues/sports such as the NationalFootball League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), MajorLeague Baseball (MLB), National College Athletic Association Football(NCAAF), etc. In an embodiment, where a given channel is selected, thecontent for that sport is displayed or surfaced in video content 104.Other content for that channel may be displayed in the thumbnails 106.As noted, a user can change which video content 104 is displayed byselecting one of the thumbnails 106. The thumbnails 106 may displaycontent from different channels in further embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the user interface 112 (similar to theinterface 112 in FIG. 2) for adding a new channel to the UI channelguide 102. In this example, the content provider may again be ESPN, andthe list of channels to add may all relate to sports. In the example ofFIG. 6, a user may select boxing to be created as a new channel, atwhich time, the boxing channel is added to the UI channel guide 102.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the user interface 130 (similar to theuser interface 130 in FIG. 4) where a user is given the option to selectone or more subcategories setting the content or priority of content tobe displayed on a given channel. In the example of FIG. 7, the user isgiven the option to select one or more favorite teams from an NCAAFchannel. The user has for example selected Boston University, so thatcontent related to Boston University will be displayed and/orprioritized on the NCAAF channel.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the UI channel guide (e.g., 100)is made available by downloading an application to a client computingdevice (which can also be referred to as a computing system) thatinterfaces with an audio/visual device that includes a screen fordisplaying video content (such as a television, a monitor, ahigh-definition television (HDTV), or the like), projects video content,or otherwise makes video content available for viewing. In certainembodiments, different content provides may have their own mediaapplications available for download, with each media applicationimplementing its own UI channel guide. For example, there may be anESPN™ application available for download that provides for a UI channelguide that is tailored to the ESPN family of channels and the availablecontent associate therewith. For another example, there may be an NFL™network application available for download that provides for a UIchannel guide primarily dedicated to providing content associated withthe National Football League (NFL™) These are just a few examples, whichare not meant to be all encompassing. It is also possible that suchapplications are included in client computing devices when they aresold, or are made available to client computing devices in othermanners.

Referring again to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is an example of what aUI channel guide 100 may look like where the user is a sports fan. Morespecifically, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary UI channel guide 100 thatmay be made available if an ESPN application is downloaded by a user totheir client computing device, e.g., their gaming console. The exemplarychannels shown in FIG. 5 include a National Hockey League (NHL) channel,a Watch Later channel, a Pinned Videos channel, a My SportsCenterchannel, an ESPN channel, an ESPN2 channel, an ESPN3 channel, an ESPNUchannel, and a Live channel.

In accordance with an embodiment, live content (i.e., content currentlybeing broadcast) can be accessed using a Live channel, such as the oneillustrated at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 5. More specifically,when the user navigates to the Live channel, the thumbnails (a.k.a.tiles) 106 will indicate various live content (e.g., live video content)that are available for viewing. In an embodiment, the particular livecontent shown in the thumbnails 106 are tailored and prioritized for theuser, e.g., based on preferences entered by the user (e.g., using theuser interface 130) and/or based on tracked viewing habits of the user.For example, if the user indicated that their favorite sport is NHLhockey, and that their favorite team is the Philadelphia Flyers, then athumbnail 106 indicating that an NHL hockey game involving thePhiladelphia Flyers may be listed first when such a game is being shownlive, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 will now be used to summarize methods for providing apersonalized channel guide to a user, according to certain embodiments.Referring to the flow diagram of FIG. 8, at step 202, indications oftypes of content for which the user has an interest are received. Typesof content can include video content, textual content (e.g., statisticalcontent, scores, or leaderboards) and/or interactive content (e.g.,polls), but is not limited thereto. Other exemplary types of contentinclude games and advertisements. Types of content can also includespecific categories of the aforementioned content, such as video contentrelated to a specific sport, such as NFL football, NBA basketball, orMLB baseball. Other examples of types of content include, but are notlimited to, fantasy sports league content (e.g., fantasy footballrosters, scores and/or highlights). An individual channel can include asingle one of the aforementioned types of content, e.g., just videocontent, or can include a mixture of different types of content, e.g.,video content, textual content and interactive content. In accordancewith an embodiment, such indications of types of content for which theuser has an interest can be received from a user using a user interface,such as the user interface 130 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and7. As mentioned above, the user interface 130 described with referenceto FIGS. 4 and 7 may be presented to a user in response to the userselecting the content customization button 120 discussed with referenceto FIG. 3. Additionally, or alternatively, the user's viewing habits canbe tracked, and the user's viewing preferences can be determined basedon the various content that the user has viewed over time. For example,if it is determined that the user spends most of their viewing timeviewing NFL related content, then it can be determined that the user hasthe most interest in viewing NFL games. If the NFL games the userwatches most often involves a specific team playing, such as the SeattleSeahawks, then it can be determined that the user has a preference forwatching that particular team. Receiving an indication that a user hasinterest in NFL games is an example of receiving indications of types ofcontent for which the user has an interest. Receiving an indication thatthe user has interest in a specific NFL football team, such as theSeattle Seahawks, is an example of receiving an indication of at leastone sub-type of content for which the user has a preference. Inaccordance with an embodiment, information about the types of contentfor which the user has an interest, which is obtained at step 202, canbe stored in one or more storage devices (e.g., memory). Such storagedevice(s) can be part of the same system that provides the userinterface, and/or can be remotely located. For example, such informationcan be stored in local memory or in a local hard drive and/or on cloudservers or other remote servers, but are not limited thereto.

Where multiple users may view content using a same system, the systemmay ask the user to enter their identity, or the system can identify theuser using a camera component (e.g., 423) or a microphone (e.g., 430).This way, the channel guide presented to the user can be specific to theuser. If the system determines that more than one user is simultaneouslyviewing content using the system, then the system can ask which user'spreferences should be used when presenting the channel guide.Alternatively, the system can provide a channel guide that ispersonalized for multiple users. For example, a first group of channelscan be personalized for a first user, and a second group of channels canbe personalized for a second user.

If an indication of at least one sub-type of content for which the userhas a preference was received, e.g., as part of step 202, then thegenerating of personalized channels can also be based on the sub-typesof content for which the user has an interest. For example, if there wasan indication that the user has interest in a specific NFL footballteam, such as the Seattle Seahawks, then this information can be usedwhen generating personalized channels. For example, a Seattle Seahawkschannel may be generated. Additionally, or alternatively, suchinformation about the user's preferences can be used to order orotherwise prioritize the listing of the content associated with achannel. For example, video content thumbnail 106 indicating that aSeattle Seahawks game is being broadcast may be listed first in an NFLchannel and/or in a live channel.

Referring again to FIG. 8, at step 204, information about content thatis available for viewing is accessed. Such information, which can beaggregated by cable or satellite television providers or other thirdparties, as is well known in the art, can be accessed using the Internetand/or some other network. It is also possible that such information isavailable directly from content providers, such as ESPN or the NFLnetwork. The content that is available for viewing can be “live”content, which refers to content this is presently being broadcast orstreamed, but is not necessarily being generated at the present time(e.g., there may be a tape delay, or the content can be produced at atime prior to its broadcast time or scheduled stream time).Additionally, content that is available for viewing can include non-livecontent, such as prerecorded content that is available for download orstreaming on-demand. The information that is accessed at step 204 can bestored in one or more storage devices (e.g., memory). Such storagedevice(s) can be part of the same system that provides the userinterface, and/or can be remotely located. For example, such informationcan be stored in local memory or in a local hard drive and/or on cloudservers or other remote servers, but are not limited thereto.

At step 206, personalized channels are generated for the user based onthe received indications of the types of content for which the user hasan interest (received at step 202) and based on the information aboutcontent that is available for viewing (accessed at step 204). In anembodiment, each separate personalized channel provides the user withaccess to a separate type of content for which the user has an interest.For example, a football channel may provide the user with access to liveand pre-recorded football games, as well as talk shows about football,and the like. A separate baseball channel may provide the user withaccess to live and pre-recorded baseball games, as well as talk showsabout baseball, and the like. Step 206 can be performed, e.g., by one ormore processors that execute instructions stored on one or moreprocessor readable storage devices, which such processor(s) have accessto the indications received at step 202 and the information accessed atstep 204.

If the user subscribes to a fantasy sports league, such as a fantasyfootball league, then a fantasy football channel can be generated atstep 206. Such a fantasy football channel can, for example, provide theuser with highlights and or other information related to playersincluded on the user's fantasy football team. For example, if the userparticipates in an ESPN fantasy football league, and an ESPN applicationgenerates the personalized channels at step 206, then that applicationwill have access to data that specifies which players are included onthe user's fantasy football team, and the application can search for orfilter football related content in order to identify content thatincludes or is related to player's on the user's fantasy football team.In an embodiment, one of the video thumbnails (e.g., 106) correspondingto a fantasy football channel provides access to one or more web pagesthat show points and/or other statistics associated with the user'sfantasy football team. Another thumbnail, or more generally anothercontent selection button, can provide access to games that includeplayers on the user's fantasy team. A further thumbnail or button canprovide the user with access to highlights including players on theuser's fantasy team.

An example of another personalized channel is a sitcom channel, whichcan provide a user with access to situation comedies (also known assitcoms) for which the user has indicated an interest using a userinterface or by their viewing habits. In accordance with an embodiment,there can be a separate sitcom channel associated with differentbroadcast or other networks. For example, there can be a CBS sitcomchannel, and a separate NBC sitcom channel. In an alternativeembodiment, sitcoms produced by different networks can be included inthe same sitcom channel. Examples of other personalized channelsinclude, but are not limited to, a drama channel, a game show channel, areality TV channel, and a news channel.

At step 208, a listing of at least some of the personalized channels isdisplayed to thereby enable a user to select one of the personalizedchannels. As mentioned above, this can include displaying the listing ofpersonalized channels (or a portion thereof) along a first one of thefour sides of a screen. At step 210, a listing of content associatedwith one of the personalized channels is displayed. As mentioned above,this can include displaying along a second one of the four sides of thescreen, which is perpendicular to the first one of the four sides, alisting of content associated with one of the personalized channels. Aswas explained above, the listing of programs or other content associatedwith one of the personalized channels can be ordered based on one ormore preferences indicated by the user. At step 212, within a remainingportion of the screen, content that the user most recently selected forviewing can be displayed. FIG. 5 provides an example of what may bedisplayed to a user as a result of the aforementioned steps beingperformed. As was noted above, this method can also enable a user toremove one or more channels and/or add one or more new channels. Steps208-210 can be performed, e.g., by one or more processors that executeinstructions stored on one or more processor readable storage devices.

In accordance with an embodiment, at least one of the personalizedchannels generated and displayed at steps 206-210 provides the user withaccess to: at least one current (i.e., live) program related to one ofthe types of content for which the user has an interest; at least oneprerecorded program related to the one of the types of content for whichthe user has an interest; and an indication of at least one upcomingprogram related to the one of the types of content for which the userhas an interest. Where the program is upcoming, the user can be allowedto set a reminder and/or specify that that program be recorded. Forexample, if a user selects a thumbnail or other button corresponding toan upcoming program, the user can be presented with options to schedulean alert and/or schedule recording of the upcoming program. Moregenerally, a single channel can provide a user with access to livecontent, prerecorded content and an indication of upcoming content.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a new personalized channel can be generatedthat is specific to an upcoming event (e.g., the NFL Super Bowl, or theMLB World Series) that relates to one of the types of content for whichthe user has indicated an interest, as indicated at step 222. Such achannel may provide access to content even after the event takes place,e.g., by providing access to post game or post show commentary,highlights, and/or the like. Step 222 in FIG. 9 can be implemented aspart of step 206 in FIG. 8, and thus, such a new personalized channeland a listing of the content associated therewith may be displayed aspart of steps 208 and 210 in FIG. 8. As indicated at step 224 in FIG. 9,such a new personalized channel may be removed at some time (e.g., sevendays, or some other time period) after the event has already takenplace. In accordance with an embodiment, step 222 is automaticallyperformed in response to receiving an indication that the specificupcoming event (e.g., the NFL Super Bowl) is going to take place withina specified amount of time (e.g., two weeks). Similarly, step 224 can beautomatically performed at some time (e.g., one week) after the specificevent has taken place. In other words, steps 222 and 224 can beperformed without the user needing to personally generate and remove thenew channel.

FIG. 10 is used to explain how the listing of content associate with apersonalized channel can be ordered. Referring to FIG. 10, at step 232,information about a user's preference(s) is accessed. Such informationmay be obtained from the user via a user interface (e.g., 102) and/or bytracking a user's viewing habits over time. Such information may besaved and updated from time to time. At step 234, an order is determinedbased on the user's preference(s) that are accessed at step 232. Forexample, if the user has a favorite sport (e.g., NFL football) and/orteam (e.g., the Seattle Seahawks), content associated with that sportand/or team may be listed earlier than content associated with othersports and/or other teams. At step 236, a listing of content associatedwith one of the personalized channels is displayed based on the orderdetermined at step 234, and more generally, based on the user'spreference(s). In an embodiment, step 232 is implemented as part of step202 in FIG. 8, step 234 is implemented as part of step 206 in FIG. 8,and step 236 is implemented as part of step 210 in FIG. 8. Othervariations are also possible.

FIGS. 11-14 will now be used to describe an exemplary computing system,which may be an entertainment console and tracking system, that can beused to implements embodiments described herein, and exemplary detailsof the exemplary entertainment console and tracking system.

Referring to FIG. 11, shown therein is an example embodiment of anentertainment system 300 that can provide the user interfaces andcontent described above. Entertainment system 300 may include acomputing system 312. The computing system 312 may be a computer, agaming system or console, or the like. According to an exampleembodiment, computing system 312 may include hardware components and/orsoftware components such that computing system 312 may be used toexecute applications such as gaming applications, non-gamingapplications, or the like. In one embodiment, computing system 312 mayinclude a processor such as a standardized processor, a specializedprocessor, a microprocessor, or the like that may execute instructionsstored on a processor readable storage device for performing theprocesses described herein. Entertainment system 300 may also include anoptional capture device 320, which may be, for example, a camera thatcan visually monitor one or more users such that gestures and/ormovements performed by the one or more users may be captured, analyzed,and tracked to perform one or more controls or actions within anapplication and/or animate an avatar or on-screen character.

According to one embodiment, computing system 312 may be connected to anaudio/visual device 316 such as a television, a monitor, ahigh-definition television (HDTV), or the like that may providetelevision, movie, video, game or application visuals and/or audio to auser. For example, the computing system 312 may include a video adaptersuch as a graphics card and/or an audio adapter such as a sound cardthat may provide audiovisual signals associated with the gameapplication, non-game application, or the like. The audio/visual device316 may receive the audio/visual signals from the computing system 312and may then output the television, movie, video, game or applicationvisuals and/or audio to the user. According to one embodiment,audio/visual device 316 may be connected to the computing system 312via, for example, an S-Video cable, a coaxial cable, an HDMI cable, aDVI cable, a VGA cable, component video cable, or the like. Audio/visualdevice 316 may be used to display the user interfaces 100, 112, 116 and130 described above.

Entertainment system 300 may be used to recognize, analyze, and/or trackone or more humans. For example, a user may be tracked using the capturedevice 320 such that the gestures and/or movements of user may becaptured to animate an avatar or on-screen character and/or may beinterpreted as controls that may be used to affect the application beingexecuted by computing system 312. Thus, according to one embodiment, auser may move his or her body (e.g., using gestures) to control theinteraction with a program being displayed on audio/visual device 316.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example embodiment of the computing system 312with the capture device 320. According to an example embodiment, thecapture device 320 may be configured to capture video with depthinformation including a depth image that may include depth values viaany suitable technique including, for example, time-of-flight,structured light, stereo image, or the like. According to oneembodiment, the capture device 320 may organize the depth informationinto “Z levels,” or levels that may be perpendicular to a Z axisextending from the depth camera along its line of sight. Such depthimages may be used, e.g., to detect gestures that may be used tonavigate through the channel guides described herein.

As shown in FIG. 12, capture device 320 may include a camera component423. According to an example embodiment, camera component 423 may be ormay include a depth camera that may capture a depth image of a scene.The depth image may include a two-dimensional (2-D) pixel area of thecaptured scene where each pixel in the 2-D pixel area may represent adepth value such as a distance in, for example, centimeters,millimeters, or the like of an object in the captured scene from thecamera.

Camera component 423 may include an infra-red (IR) light component 425,a three-dimensional (3-D) camera 426, and an RGB (visual image) camera428 that may be used to capture the depth image of a scene. For example,in time-of-flight analysis, the IR light component 425 of the capturedevice 320 may emit an infrared light onto the scene and may then usesensors (in some embodiments, including sensors not shown) to detect thebackscattered light from the surface of one or more targets and objectsin the scene using, for example, the 3-D camera 426 and/or the RGBcamera 428. In some embodiments, pulsed infrared light may be used suchthat the time between an outgoing light pulse and a correspondingincoming light pulse may be measured and used to determine a physicaldistance from the capture device 320 to a particular location on thetargets or objects in the scene. Additionally, in other exampleembodiments, the phase of the outgoing light wave may be compared to thephase of the incoming light wave to determine a phase shift. The phaseshift may then be used to determine a physical distance from the capturedevice to a particular location on the targets or objects.

According to another example embodiment, time-of-flight analysis may beused to indirectly determine a physical distance from the capture device320 to a particular location on the targets or objects by analyzing theintensity of the reflected beam of light over time via varioustechniques including, for example, shuttered light pulse imaging.

In another example embodiment, capture device 320 may use a structuredlight to capture depth information. In such an analysis, patterned light(i.e., light displayed as a known pattern such as grid pattern, a stripepattern, or different pattern) may be projected onto the scene via, forexample, the IR light component 424. Upon striking the surface of one ormore targets or objects in the scene, the pattern may become deformed inresponse. Such a deformation of the pattern may be captured by, forexample, the 3-D camera 426 and/or the RGB camera 428 (and/or othersensor) and may then be analyzed to determine a physical distance fromthe capture device to a particular location on the targets or objects.In some implementations, the IR Light component 425 is displaced fromthe cameras 425 and 426 so triangulation can be used to determineddistance from cameras 425 and 426. In some implementations, the capturedevice 320 will include a dedicated IR sensor to sense the IR light, ora sensor with an IR filter.

According to another embodiment, the capture device 320 may include twoor more physically separated cameras that may view a scene fromdifferent angles to obtain visual stereo data that may be resolved togenerate depth information. Other types of depth image sensors can alsobe used to create a depth image.

The capture device 320 may further include a microphone 430, whichincludes a transducer or sensor that may receive and convert sound intoan electrical signal. Microphone 430 may be used to receive audiosignals that may also be provided by computing system 312.

In an example embodiment, capture device 320 may further include aprocessor 432 that may be in communication with the image cameracomponent 423. Processor 432 may include a standardized processor, aspecialized processor, a microprocessor, or the like that may executeinstructions including, for example, instructions for receiving a depthimage, generating the appropriate data format (e.g., frame) andtransmitting the data to computing system 312.

Capture device 320 may further include a memory 434 that may store theinstructions that are executed by processor 432, images or frames ofimages captured by the 3-D camera and/or RGB camera, or any othersuitable information, images, or the like. According to an exampleembodiment, memory 434 may include random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), cache, flash memory, a hard disk, or any other suitablestorage component. As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, memory 434 maybe a separate component in communication with the image capturecomponent 423 and processor 432. According to another embodiment, thememory 434 may be integrated into processor 432 and/or the image capturecomponent 422.

Capture device 320 is in communication with computing system 312 via acommunication link 436. The communication link 436 may be a wiredconnection including, for example, a USB connection, a Firewireconnection, an Ethernet cable connection, or the like and/or a wirelessconnection such as a wireless 802.11b, g, a, or n connection. Accordingto one embodiment, computing system 312 may provide a clock to capturedevice 320 that may be used to determine when to capture, for example, ascene via the communication link 436. Additionally, the capture device320 provides the depth information and visual (e.g., RGB) imagescaptured by, for example, the 3-D camera 426 and/or the RGB camera 428to hub computing system 12 via the communication link 436. In oneembodiment, the depth images and visual images are transmitted at 30frames per second; however, other frame rates can be used. Computingsystem 312 may then create and use a model, depth information, andcaptured images to, for example, control an application such as a gameor word processor and/or animate an avatar or on-screen character.

Computing system 312 includes depth image processing and skeletaltracking module 450, which uses the depth images to track one or morepersons detectable by the depth camera function of capture device 320.Depth image processing and skeletal tracking module 450 provides thetracking information to application 453, which can be a video game,productivity application, communications application, or other softwareapplication. The application 452 may alternatively or additionally be acontent serving application including the UI channel guide 102 describeabove.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of a computing system that maybe used to implement computing system 312. As shown in FIG. 13, themultimedia console 500 has a central processing unit (CPU) 501 having alevel 1 cache 502, a level 2 cache 504, and a flash ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 506 that is non-volatile storage. The level 1 cache 502 and alevel 2 cache 504 temporarily store data and hence reduce the number ofmemory access cycles, thereby improving processing speed and throughput.CPU 501 may be provided having more than one core, and thus, additionallevel 1 and level 2 caches 502 and 504. The flash ROM 506 may storeexecutable code that is loaded during an initial phase of a boot processwhen the multimedia console 500 is powered on.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) 508 and a video encoder/video codec(coder/decoder) 514 form a video processing pipeline for high speed andhigh resolution graphics processing. Data is carried from the graphicsprocessing unit 508 to the video encoder/video codec 514 via a bus. Thevideo processing pipeline outputs data to an A/V (audio/video) port 540for transmission to a television or other display. A memory controller510 is connected to the GPU 508 to facilitate processor access tovarious types of memory 512, such as, but not limited to, a RAM (RandomAccess Memory).

The multimedia console 500 includes an I/O controller 520, a systemmanagement controller 522, an audio processing unit 523, a network (orcommunication) interface 524, a first USB host controller 526, a secondUSB controller 528 and a front panel I/O subassembly 530 that arepreferably implemented on a module 518. The USB controllers 526 and 528serve as hosts for peripheral controllers 542(1)-542(2), a wirelessadapter 548 (another example of a communication interface), and anexternal memory device 546 (e.g., flash memory, external CD/DVD ROMdrive, removable media, etc. any of which may be non-volatile storage).The network interface 524 and/or wireless adapter 548 provide access toa network (e.g., the Internet, home network, etc.) and may be any of awide variety of various wired or wireless adapter components includingan Ethernet card, a modem, a Bluetooth module, a cable modem, and thelike.

System memory 543 is provided to store application data that is loadedduring the boot process. A media drive 544 is provided and may comprisea DVD/CD drive, Blu-Ray drive, hard disk drive, or other removable mediadrive, etc. (any of which may be non-volatile storage). The media drive144 may be internal or external to the multimedia console 500.Application data may be accessed via the media drive 544 for execution,playback, etc. by the multimedia console 500. The media drive 544 isconnected to the I/O controller 520 via a bus, such as a Serial ATA busor other high speed connection (e.g., IEEE 1394).

The system management controller 522 provides a variety of servicefunctions related to assuring availability of the multimedia console500. The audio processing unit 523 and an audio codec 532 form acorresponding audio processing pipeline with high fidelity and stereoprocessing. Audio data is carried between the audio processing unit 523and the audio codec 532 via a communication link. The audio processingpipeline outputs data to the A/V port 540 for reproduction by anexternal audio user or device having audio capabilities.

The front panel I/O subassembly 530 supports the functionality of thepower button 550 and the eject button 552, as well as any LEDs (lightemitting diodes) or other indicators exposed on the outer surface of themultimedia console 100. A system power supply module 536 provides powerto the components of the multimedia console 100. A fan 538 cools thecircuitry within the multimedia console 500.

The CPU 501, GPU 508, memory controller 510, and various othercomponents within the multimedia console 500 are interconnected via oneor more buses, including serial and parallel buses, a memory bus, aperipheral bus, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can include aPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, etc.

When the multimedia console 500 is powered on, application data may beloaded from the system memory 543 into memory 512 and/or caches 502, 504and executed on the CPU 501. The application may present a graphicaluser interface that provides a consistent user experience whennavigating to different media types available on the multimedia console500. In operation, applications and/or other media contained within themedia drive 544 may be launched or played from the media drive 544 toprovide additional functionalities to the multimedia console 500.

The multimedia console 500 may be operated as a standalone system bysimply connecting the system to a television or other display. In thisstandalone mode, the multimedia console 500 allows one or more users tointeract with the system, watch movies, or listen to music. However,with the integration of broadband connectivity made available throughthe network interface 524 or the wireless adapter 548, the multimediaconsole 500 may further be operated as a participant in a larger networkcommunity. Additionally, multimedia console 500 can communicate withprocessing unit 4 via wireless adaptor 548.

When the multimedia console 500 is powered ON, a set amount of hardwareresources are reserved for system use by the multimedia consoleoperating system. These resources may include a reservation of memory,CPU and GPU cycle, networking bandwidth, etc. Because these resourcesare reserved at system boot time, the reserved resources do not existfrom the application's view. In particular, the memory reservationpreferably is large enough to contain the launch kernel, concurrentsystem applications and drivers. The CPU reservation is preferablyconstant such that if the reserved CPU usage is not used by the systemapplications, an idle thread will consume any unused cycles.

With regard to the GPU reservation, lightweight messages generated bythe system applications (e.g., pop ups) are displayed by using a GPUinterrupt to schedule code to render popup into an overlay. The amountof memory required for an overlay depends on the overlay area size andthe overlay preferably scales with screen resolution. Where a full userinterface is used by the concurrent system application, it is preferableto use a resolution independent of application resolution. A scaler maybe used to set this resolution such that the need to change frequencyand cause a TV resync is eliminated.

After multimedia console 500 boots and system resources are reserved,concurrent system applications execute to provide systemfunctionalities. The system functionalities are encapsulated in a set ofsystem applications that execute within the reserved system resourcesdescribed above. The operating system kernel identifies threads that aresystem application threads versus gaming application threads. The systemapplications are preferably scheduled to run on the CPU 501 atpredetermined times and intervals in order to provide a consistentsystem resource view to the application. The scheduling is to minimizecache disruption for the gaming application running on the console.

When a concurrent system application requires audio, audio processing isscheduled asynchronously to the gaming application due to timesensitivity. A multimedia console application manager (described below)controls the gaming application audio level (e.g., mute, attenuate) whensystem applications are active.

Optional input devices (e.g., controllers 542(1) and 542(2)) are sharedby gaming applications and system applications. The input devices arenot reserved resources, but are to be switched between systemapplications and the gaming application such that each will have a focusof the device. The application manager preferably controls the switchingof input stream, without knowing the gaming application's knowledge anda driver maintains state information regarding focus switches. Capturedevice 320 may define additional input devices for the console 500 viaUSB controller 526 or other interface. In other embodiments, computingsystem 312 can be implemented using other hardware architectures. No onehardware architecture is required.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example embodiment of a computing systemthat can be used to implements embodiments described herein. Referringto FIG. 14, the computing system 620 is only one example of a suitablecomputing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the presently disclosed subject matter.Neither should the computing system 620 be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary computing system 620. In someembodiments the various depicted computing elements may includecircuitry configured to instantiate specific aspects of the presentdisclosure. For example, the term circuitry used in the disclosure caninclude specialized hardware components configured to performfunction(s) by firmware or switches. In other examples embodiments theterm circuitry can include a general purpose processing unit, memory,etc., configured by software instructions that embody logic operable toperform function(s). In example embodiments where circuitry includes acombination of hardware and software, an implementer may write sourcecode embodying logic and the source code can be compiled into machinereadable code that can be processed by the general purpose processingunit. Since one skilled in the art can appreciate that the state of theart has evolved to a point where there is little difference betweenhardware, software, or a combination of hardware/software, the selectionof hardware versus software to effectuate specific functions is a designchoice left to an implementer. More specifically, one of skill in theart can appreciate that a software process can be transformed into anequivalent hardware structure, and a hardware structure can itself betransformed into an equivalent software process. Thus, the selection ofa hardware implementation versus a software implementation is one ofdesign choice and left to the implementer.

Computing system 620 comprises a computer 641, which typically includesa variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by computer 641 and includes bothvolatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Thesystem memory 622 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 623and random access memory (RAM) 660. A basic input/output system 624(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 641, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 623. RAM 660 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 659. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 14 illustrates operating system 625, applicationprograms 626, other program modules 627, and program data 628.

The computer 641 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 14 illustrates a hard disk drive 638 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 639that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 654,and an optical disk drive 640 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 653 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 638 is typically connectedto the system bus 621 through an non-removable memory interface such asinterface 634, and magnetic disk drive 639 and optical disk drive 640are typically connected to the system bus 621 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 635.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 14, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 641. In FIG. 14, for example, hard disk drive 638 isillustrated as storing operating system 658, application programs 657,other program modules 656, and program data 655. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from operating system625, application programs 626, other program modules 627, and programdata 628. Operating system 658, application programs 657, other programmodules 656, and program data 655 are given different numbers here toillustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user mayenter commands and information into the computer 641 through inputdevices such as a keyboard 651 and pointing device 652, commonlyreferred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (notshown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish,scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connectedto the processing unit 659 through a user input interface 636 that iscoupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface andbus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serialbus (USB). The cameras 226, 228 and capture device 120 may defineadditional input devices for the computing system 620 that connect viauser input interface 636. A monitor 642 or other type of display deviceis also connected to the system bus 621 via an interface, such as avideo interface 632. In addition to the monitor, computers may alsoinclude other peripheral output devices such as speakers 644 and printer643, which may be connected through a output peripheral interface 633.Capture Device 120 may connect to computing system 620 via outputperipheral interface 633, network interface 637, or other interface.

The computer 641 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer646. The remote computer 646 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 641, although only a memory storage device 647 has beenillustrated in FIG. 14. The logical connections depicted include a localarea network (LAN) 645 and a wide area network (WAN) 649, but may alsoinclude other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace inoffices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 641 is connectedto the LAN 645 through a network interface 637. When used in a WANnetworking environment, the computer 641 typically includes a modem 650or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 649, such asthe Internet. The modem 650, which may be internal or external, may beconnected to the system bus 621 via the user input interface 636, orother appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modulesdepicted relative to the computer 641, or portions thereof, may bestored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 14 illustrates application programs 648 as residing onmemory device 647. It will be appreciated that the network connectionsshown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communicationslink between the computers may be used.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a personalized channelguide to a user, comprising: receiving indications of types of contentfor which the user has an interest; accessing information about contentthat is available for viewing; generating personalized channels for theuser based on the received indications of the types of content for whichthe user has an interest and based on the information about content thatis available for viewing, wherein each separate personalized channelprovides the user with access to a separate type of content for whichthe user has an interest; and displaying a listing of at least some ofthe personalized channels to thereby enable the user to select one ofthe personalized channels.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of thepersonalized channels provides the user with: access to live content;access to prerecorded content; and an indication of upcoming content,all of which relate to one of the types of content for which the userhas an interest.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the receivingindications of types of content for which the user has an interestfurther comprises, for at least one of the types of content for whichthe user has indicated an interest, receiving an indication of at leastone sub-type of content for which the user has a preference; and thegenerating personalized channels is also based on the sub-types ofcontent for which the user has an interest.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the displaying a listing of at least some of the personalizedchannels includes displaying along a first one of the four sides of ascreen, the listing of at least some of the personalized channels, andfurther comprising: displaying along a second one of the four sides ofthe screen, which is perpendicular to the first one of the first sides,a listing of content associated with one of the personalized channels;and displaying, within a remaining portion of the screen, content thatthe user most recently selected for viewing.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: ordering the listing of content associated with oneof the personalized channels based on one or more preferences indicatedby the user.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enabling auser to remove one or more channels; and enabling a user to add one ormore new channels.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generatingpersonalized channels for the user further comprises: generating a newpersonalized channel specific to an upcoming event that relates to oneof the types of content for which the user has indicated an interest;and removing the new personalized channel at some time after the eventhas already taken place.
 8. A system for providing a personalizedchannel guide to a user, comprising: a user interface that receivesindications of types of content for which the user has an interest; oneor more storage devices that store information about the types ofcontent for which the user has an interest; a network interface thataccesses information about content that is available for viewing; adisplay interface that interfaces with a display capable of displayingvideo content; and one or more processors in communication with the oneor more storage devices, the network interface, and the displayinterface, wherein the one or more processors generate personalizedchannels for the user based on the received indications of the types ofcontent for which the user has an interest and based on the informationabout content that is available for viewing, wherein each separatepersonalized channel provides the user with access to a separate type ofcontent for which the user has an interest, and wherein the one or moreprocessors cause a listing of at least some of the personalized channelsto be displayed on the display to thereby enable the user to select oneof the personalized channels.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein one ofthe personalized channels provides the user with: access to livecontent; access to prerecorded content; and an indication upcomingcontent, all of which relate to one of the types of content for whichthe user has an interest.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein: the userinterface, for at least one of the types of content for which the userhas indicated an interest, also receives an indication of at least onesub-type of content for which the user has a preference; and wherein theone or more processors also generate personalized channels based on thesub-types of content for which the user has an interest.
 11. The systemof claim 8, wherein one or more processors cause: the listing of atleast some of the personalized channels to be displayed along a firstone of the four sides of a screen of the display; a listing of contentassociated with one of the personalized channels to be displayed along asecond one of the four sides of the screen, which is perpendicular tothe first one of the first sides; and content that the user mostrecently selected for viewing to be displayed within a remaining portionof the screen.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or moreprocessors order the listing of content associated with one of thepersonalized channels based on one or more preferences indicated by theuser.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processorsalso enable a user to remove one or more channels, and enable a user toadd one or more new channels.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein theone or more processor generate a new personalized channel specific to anupcoming event that relates to one of the types of content for which theuser has indicated an interest; and the one or more processors removethe new personalized channel at some time after the event has alreadytaken place.
 15. One or more processor readable storage devices havinginstructions encoded thereon which when executed cause one or moreprocessors to perform a method for providing a personalized channelguide to a user, the method comprising: receiving indications of typesof content for which the user has an interest; accessing informationabout content that is available for viewing; generating personalizedchannels for the user based on the received indications of the types ofcontent for which the user has an interest and based on the informationabout content that is available for viewing, wherein each separatepersonalized channel provides the user with access to a separate type ofcontent for which the user has an interest; and displaying a listing ofat least some of the personalized channels to thereby enable the user toselect one of the personalized channels.
 16. The one or more processorreadable storage devices of claim 15, wherein one of the personalizedchannels provides the user with: access to live content; access toprerecorded content; and an indication of upcoming content, all of whichrelate to one of the types of content for which the user has aninterest.
 17. The one or more processor readable storage devices ofclaim 15, wherein: the receiving indications of types of content forwhich the user has an interest further comprises, for at least one ofthe types of content for which the user has indicated an interest,receiving an indication of at least one sub-type of content for whichthe user has a preference; and the generating personalized channels isalso based on the sub-types of content for which the user has aninterest.
 18. The one or more processor readable storage devices ofclaim 15, wherein the displaying a listing of at least some of thepersonalized channels includes displaying along a first one of the foursides of a screen, the listing of at least some of the personalizedchannels, and further comprising: displaying along a second one of thefour sides of the screen, which is perpendicular to the first one of thefirst sides, a listing of content associated with one of thepersonalized channels; and displaying, within a remaining portion of thescreen, content that the user most recently selected for viewing. 19.The one or more processor readable storage devices of claim 18, whereinthe method further comprises: ordering the listing of content associatedwith one of the personalized channels based on one or more preferencesindicated by the user.
 20. The one or more processor readable storagedevices of claim 15, wherein the generating personalized channels forthe user further comprises: generating a new personalized channelspecific to an upcoming event that relates to one of the types ofcontent for which the user has indicated an interest; and removing thenew personalized channel at some time after the event has already takenplace.